Primary programs

Developed by teachers, Sydney Learning Adventures' (SLA) primary school excursions offer interactive education programs in unique environments.

Whether it is in Sydney's premier heritage precinct The Rocks, or the city's most popular leisure and entertainment district Darling Harbour, students will be engaged and entertained.

For primary students, SLA has excursions that fit with the curriculum links for HSIE, English and ESL.

Each excursion is complemented by a Teacher Resource Pack that offers pre- and post-excursion ideas, background information and worksheets.

HSIE and Aboriginal Studies
Bangabaoui: Aboriginal cultural harbour cruise - Primary
For Years: 3-6
Location: Sydney Harbour (departs Circular Quay)
Curriculum Links: Years 3-6 HSIE Step aboard the Mari Nawi with the crew from The Tribal Warrior and explore the environment and history of Sydney Harbour from an Aboriginal perspective.
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HSIE
Children stepping back in time
For Years: 1-5
Location: The Rocks
Curriculum links: Years 1–5 HSIE Students take a step back in time to explore the day-to-day lives of their historical counterparts.
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HSIE and English
Chinese whispers
For Years: 3-6
Location: Chinatown and Chinese Garden of Friendship
Curriculum links: Years 3–6 HSIE/English On this interactive excursion students wander through Chinatown to explore the contribution of Chinese Australians in the development of Australian identity and heritage. In the enchanting Chinese Garden students solve riddles, find clues and meet challenges on a journey to learn the legend of the Chinese horoscope.
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HSIE
Detectives with a Difference
For Years: 3-4
Location: The Rocks
Curriculum links: Years 3–4 HSIE Working in groups, students examine a collection of clues and artefacts to solve the puzzle of whose possessions they have in their bag.
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HSIE
Dirt Detectives
For Years: 3-4
Location: The Big Dig Education Centre
Curriculum links: Years 3-4 HSIE Students will work as archaeologists to excavate artefacts from our indoor archaeological dig, and use their investigative skills to discover what life was really like for the convicts who lived in The Rocks during the early years of the colony.
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HSIE
Little Diggers
For Years: 1-2
Location: The Big Dig Education Centre
Curriculum links: Year 1-2 Students will work as archaeologists to excavate artefacts from our indoor archaeological dig and analyse them to find out about the everyday lives of children who lived on the Cumberland Street dig site.
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HSIE
Pieces of the past
For Years: 5-6
Location: The Big Dig Education Centre
Curriculum links: Years 3-4 HSIE Students will use artefacts , paintings, photos and written documents to piece together evidence about the lives of the people who lived in the Cumberland Street neighbourhood during the 1800s.
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HSIE and Aboriginal Studies
The Rocks Dreaming - Primary
For Years: K-6
Location: The Rocks
Curriculum links: Years K–6 HSIE Discover how modern Sydney and the Aboriginal Dreaming remain connected. Learn how the natural world of Sydney’s billion-year-old harbour, marine environment, sandstone strata, waterways, flora and fauna have influenced how both the Aboriginal people and European settlers have lived and used these environments. Be amazed as you uncover how ancient beliefs are still relevant to Sydney’s contemporary Aboriginal society and the connections they have to The Rocks. This tour is led by an Aboriginal guide who has the permission of elders to tell these stories.
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HSIE
Upstairs Downstairs at Merchant's House
For Years: 5 & 6
Location: The Rocks
Curriculum links: Year 5 & 6 HSIE Students learn about the living and working conditions of urban Australians in the mid- to late-19th century. Learning activities focus on the trade and manufacturing tasks of the former occupants of historic Merchant's House, and students examine the influence of Britain and the Asia Pacific region on Australian cultural life.
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